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Rangers await Young; roster decision to follow

Rangers await Young; roster decision to follow

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Michael Young

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ARLINGTON -- The Rangers are expecting Michael Young back from paternity leave either Sunday or Monday. At that point, the club expects to send infielder Luis Hernandez back to Triple-A Round Rock and stay with an eight-man bullpen as well as a three-player bench.

Manager Ron Washington prefers a seven-man bullpen and a four-player bench. But the Rangers are expecting to stay with the current configuration possibly until the rosters expand on Sept. 1.

"It's not going to change right now," Washington said. "It could change tomorrow, I just don't know yet. We're going to go with the way it is right now. It has not been a detriment. That extra pitcher has given us a chance to give the pitchers we have been riding for 3 1/2 months some extra rest. Now those guys are getting caught up."

Texas went into Saturday's game against Minnesota with Hernandez, infielder Mike Olt and catcher Luis Martinez as its three reserves. Hernandez was added on Friday when Young was placed on paternity leave for a maximum of three days. If Young is not back on Sunday, he will be activated on Monday.

Hernandez received one big benefit from being called up. The Rangers had to add him to the 40-man roster. By doing so, it increased his chances of a September callup. Alberto Gonzalez, who had been the club's utility infielder for most of the season, was taken off the 40-man when he was assigned outright to Round Rock on Aug. 12.

The Rangers are also still giving serious consideration to calling up infielder Jurickson Profar in September. He is not yet on the 40-man roster, but the club will find room if needed.